It’s Not My Fault Department:
All parties in the Commons are taking aim at all other parties these days, thus creating a new low in the dysfunctional nature of the process. Harper blames Dion and his troops, Layton and his gang, and Duceppe and his lot. Aforementioned blame Harper. There’s a kindergarten quality to these machinations that’s almost amusing, if it wasn’t costing so much money. Another battle raging between MP Dean Del Mastro and ex-financial commentator, ex-Toronto Sun Columnist, ex-conservative, ex-cabinet minister, ex-independent MP, and now Liberal back-bencher Garth Turner also has a school-yard ring to it. Seems the latter made a crack about used car salesmen, to which Del Mastro took offence (he being in the car biz. before his election). Grow up boys, get over it. Then there’s the committee that decided to call Hockey Canada officials to a meeting to discuss their selection of a Captain for the National Team. Does anyone else think politicians ought not to get their knickers in a knot about such matters?
Paying for TV Department:
As far back as I can remember Canadian stations have been limited to 12 minutes of commercials per hour during prime-time programming. The governing body (CRTC) just announced the limit will soon increase to 14 minutes, and in a couple of years there will be no limit on commercial content. Someday we may see nothing but commercials, and no programs.
. . . and a Child Shall Lead Them Department:
Two girls, about 8 years old, watched as a couple of adults yelled at each other and made threatening gestures. The scene unfolded in full view of a group of other adults, any one of whom could have stepped in and ended it in seconds, but didn’t make the effort. One could argue that an intervention may have escalated the problem, but whatever the reason, real or imagined, nobody did anything. Until one of the little girls marched up to the combatants and said in a crystal clear voice: “Please stop yelling, you’re scaring my sister.” They stopped! Your Intrepid Reporter suggests the munchkin-peacemaker ought to be sent to some of the world’s hot spots to impart her innocent wisdom.
Metaphor or Reality? Department:
Robert Watt, a leading stonemason, has written a letter to the Feds advising that parts of the Parliament buildings are in grave danger of collapse. Visitors to the Nation’s capital probably noticed a large section of the building is wrapped to prevent anyone being hurt by falling debris. Forgive me for thinking there’s something metaphorical about the buildings being at risk of collapse, when what goes on inside is equally close to collapsing under the pressure of Question Period childishness.
All parties in the Commons are taking aim at all other parties these days, thus creating a new low in the dysfunctional nature of the process. Harper blames Dion and his troops, Layton and his gang, and Duceppe and his lot. Aforementioned blame Harper. There’s a kindergarten quality to these machinations that’s almost amusing, if it wasn’t costing so much money. Another battle raging between MP Dean Del Mastro and ex-financial commentator, ex-Toronto Sun Columnist, ex-conservative, ex-cabinet minister, ex-independent MP, and now Liberal back-bencher Garth Turner also has a school-yard ring to it. Seems the latter made a crack about used car salesmen, to which Del Mastro took offence (he being in the car biz. before his election). Grow up boys, get over it. Then there’s the committee that decided to call Hockey Canada officials to a meeting to discuss their selection of a Captain for the National Team. Does anyone else think politicians ought not to get their knickers in a knot about such matters?
Paying for TV Department:
As far back as I can remember Canadian stations have been limited to 12 minutes of commercials per hour during prime-time programming. The governing body (CRTC) just announced the limit will soon increase to 14 minutes, and in a couple of years there will be no limit on commercial content. Someday we may see nothing but commercials, and no programs.
. . . and a Child Shall Lead Them Department:
Two girls, about 8 years old, watched as a couple of adults yelled at each other and made threatening gestures. The scene unfolded in full view of a group of other adults, any one of whom could have stepped in and ended it in seconds, but didn’t make the effort. One could argue that an intervention may have escalated the problem, but whatever the reason, real or imagined, nobody did anything. Until one of the little girls marched up to the combatants and said in a crystal clear voice: “Please stop yelling, you’re scaring my sister.” They stopped! Your Intrepid Reporter suggests the munchkin-peacemaker ought to be sent to some of the world’s hot spots to impart her innocent wisdom.
Metaphor or Reality? Department:
Robert Watt, a leading stonemason, has written a letter to the Feds advising that parts of the Parliament buildings are in grave danger of collapse. Visitors to the Nation’s capital probably noticed a large section of the building is wrapped to prevent anyone being hurt by falling debris. Forgive me for thinking there’s something metaphorical about the buildings being at risk of collapse, when what goes on inside is equally close to collapsing under the pressure of Question Period childishness.
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